BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (RNS) The Catholic bishop leading the push against the White House's contraception mandate says the bishops hope to restart contentious talks with the Obama administration, but cautioned that church leaders "have gotten mixed signals from the administration" and the situation "is very fluid."

Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport, Conn., who chairs the religious liberty committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told Religion News Service that Catholics have to stay united if the hierarchy is to have any chance of prevailing in negotiations with the White House.

Ever since President Obama bowed to growing pressure and shifted the mandate to provide contraception mandate to insurance companies and away from religious employers, the White House has been hosting talks with various religious groups about a plan to modify the regulation.

Catholic institutions like hospitals, universities and social service agencies are most directly affected by the regulation because they are the biggest faith-based employers. They have also been much more amenable to the Obama accommodation than have the bishops.

Many bishops are upset with Catholic groups that have dealt independently with the administration, and some have also accused the administration of trying to divide the church.

"I think the hardest thing is that the administration deals with us in a segmented way," said Lori, who has testified before Congress three times in opposition to the mandate.

The catholic leaders would be smarter to act disinterested in new talks. They should work openly and publically each day to organize their church and other Christians against Obama. That’s the only language the socialist revolutionaries understand.
Negotiations are a joke until Obama begs the church to please talk to him. Fear is the only thing that will make him beg, not reason, compassion, respect for the constitution, or morality.

the evil of this regime should be the theme every Sunday until he capitulates. No talks !

2
posted on 03/13/2012 7:20:48 AM PDT
by DesertRhino
(I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office)

What is the point of talks with a person like Obama? We are facing pure evil. Whether the thug in our White House attempts to force the Church to pay for abortions in violation of fundamental religious rights that were granted by God and protected by the First Amendment, or he “compromises” and merely attempts to force private individuals to pay for abortions in violation of fundamental religious rights that were granted by God and protected by the First Amendment, the thug in our White House is violating the most fundamental of human rights and engaging in pure evil. One does not talk with an amoral person like Obama.

3
posted on 03/13/2012 7:26:53 AM PDT
by Pollster1
(Natural born citizen of the USA, with the birth certificate to prove it)

Forget the religious angle. Obama meets with people, then, shortly after said meeting(s), he lies about what was said and/or what was agreed upon. It has happened at least twice that I recall. How anyone in their right mind can trust him...

7
posted on 03/13/2012 7:45:41 AM PDT
by PghBaldy
(Once again, Obama proves he is not an honest broker. He can't be trusted.)

The catholic leaders would be smarter to act disinterested in new talks.

I agree, and I fear Obama will simply buy them off with some vague promise via an "executive order" a la Bart Stupak, about exempting churches.... followed by a grip-and-grin ceremony and much happy talk of "finding common ground." This, of course, to be unilaterally abrogated shortly after the election.

8
posted on 03/13/2012 7:58:49 AM PDT
by ScottinVA
(A single drop of American blood for muslims is one drop too much.)

I can’t remember what it was called, but there was a document the Catholic church published at some point in the 1930s, that was highly critical of the nazis. I think it was read in the churches. I would love to see such a document again,,, with an invitation to all Christians to join together against a common enemy, who’s evil far exceeds any differences we may ever have.

9
posted on 03/13/2012 8:05:09 AM PDT
by DesertRhino
(I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office)

Dear Bishop, Thanks for this inspiring lesson on how to get along with every body. However, as a student of Church history, and having seen "The Borgias" twice, permit me to offer you a bit of advice, Your Grace.

I also feel the Bishops will cave.My wife and I have been praying for the Bishops to be courageous.We and a group from our Church will be attending the March 23 noon rally at the Federal Building on Wall Street.The Bishops are only a part of this fight.It is time for the laity to lead.

Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.